Great Pianists on Piano Playing James Francis Cooke 9781545102558 Books
Download As PDF : Great Pianists on Piano Playing James Francis Cooke 9781545102558 Books
Great Pianists on Piano Playing By James Francis Cooke
Great Pianists on Piano Playing James Francis Cooke 9781545102558 Books
Warning! there are at least two editions of this book. The original edition has 30 pianist interviews. The bad edition, the one with this cover of a piano on it against a white background, has only 21 interviews! The good editor, with the 30 interviews, is an actual published book, by Dover Publishing. The poor edition is a self-published book with no introduction and an incomplete table of contents and most importantly without the 9 interviews. Be sure to get the Dover edition, which is a reprint of Mr Cooke's famous Etude magazine from the 19th century. If I had bought the Dover edition this book would be a 5 star rating, I only rate 4 because of this poor self published edition. The book is fabulous. Insights, and words of wisdom from the greatest pianist of the 19th century during the hey day of the piano. Took me a week to read the book because I studied it, the book has that many hidden treasure in there. Something for everyone in here, novice and pro alike!Product details
|
Tags : Great Pianists on Piano Playing [James Francis Cooke] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Great Pianists on Piano Playing By James Francis Cooke,James Francis Cooke,Great Pianists on Piano Playing,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1545102554,General,MUSIC General,Music
People also read other books :
- Alpha Wolf Black Mesa Wolves Book 2 edition by JK Harper Mystery Thriller Suspense eBooks
- Charmainisms Charmaine Smith Ladd 9780990407539 Books
- Boriquén Breve Historia de los Indios de Puerto Rico Spanish Edition eBook Angel Rodriguez Alvarez
- Falling Through Shooting Stars edition by Nancy Ann Healy Literature Fiction eBooks
Great Pianists on Piano Playing James Francis Cooke 9781545102558 Books Reviews
This book is consists of interviews and historical information about a collection of pianists from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the information about practice methods and technique is interesting, But the book has no organization whatsoever. It's as though someone assembled the group of college-level papers about this pianists and slapped the cover on it. I don't even know who the editor or author. As I said, it has no publication information, has no ISBN number.
This does not qualify as a book.
In that the interviews are done from artists who were renowned from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, one might potentially consider them as somehow dated or less pertinent. That would be similar to considering some of the classical music of that era as less enjoyable or profound! The observations of the referenced virtuosos were inspiring to my own play, and in some instances, inspiring to more fully embrace the diversity of life and culture. Not a difficult read, and one that renewed and enhanced my appreciation of a number of piano virtuosos, as well as introduced me to some historic artists.
Interesting book for teachers, especially, to read of how other teacher approached technique, hand position; more details of playing piano.
This book of interviews with great pianists of the early 20th Century fell into my hands by accident as a gift, twice removed, from an elderly woman who loved the piano and knew that I did as well. Originially published in 1917, "Great Pianists On Piano Playing" consists of interviews arranged in the form of essays with 28 great pianists and teachers. The American pianist and author James Francis Cooke (1875 -- 1960) conducted the interviews and wrote two introductory essays. Cooke also prepared biographical sketches of each of the 28 pianists he interviewed and, in addition, prepared study questions for each interview to assist in the reader's understanding.
As an amateur pianist for many years, I loved this book. I enjoyed getting to know the pianists. Some, of course, are still famous including Rachmaninoff, Paderewski, de Pachmann, Busoni, Bachaus, and others; while some other pianists in the volume, famous in their day, are now less well known. Each of the artists took the piano and music highly seriously, and their comments have a great deal to teach. Many of the essays are geared to the difficult process of becoming a concert or "virtuoso" pianist, but the essays are of great values for amateur pianists and teachers as well. I also enjoyed the book for the insights it gave into life in Europe and America just before the Great War. There is a degree of social history which may be learned as a by-product from these essays as the writing style, formality, and in some instances preconeptions of the era differ from those of the early 21st Century. Readers will not mistake these essays for contemporary writings.
Each pianist offers his or her (five of the pianists are women) thoughts on music, piano performance and piano study. The essays offer varying perspectives on piano technique, what it is, and how it is to be learned. Most but not all of the pianists favor substantial technical work for pianists, including scales, arpeggios, and etudes by, for example, Czerny. Virtually all of the pianists recommend the serious study of Bach to aspiring pianists at all levels.
Several essays discuss the importance of piano practice and emphasize the importance of regular effort, concentration, and not wasting one's time during practice. There are discussions of various pianistic "methods" (none of which are to be rigidly followed) and of acquiring a beautiful touch, learning to play with accuracy, and the study of phrasing and rhythm.
There are essays on the teaching of the piano in Russia, Hungary, and the United States. Several of the contributors offer comments on what, at the time of the interviews, was the contemporary state of piano music. More than one contributor, for example, speaks highly of the music of the American composer Edward MacDowell whose music today is too-little heard. There are two essays, by Katherine Goodson and Ernest Schelling, that offer insights into the process of learning a new piece.
An overriding theme of the volume is that learning the piano requires dedication and hard work. But the primary theme of the essays is that flawless, mechanical technique is only a means to an end. Pianism, from the beginner to the virtuoso level, requires love and understanding of the music and the development of informed musical individuality and personality. Work and the development of a personal musical style are the pervasive themes of the volume. One of my favorite essays in this book is Rachmaninoff's. He describes well musical training in Russian conservatories, including the emphasis on technique and on the use of Hanon's studies, but he is clear that technique is only a beginning. Rachmaninoff says
"While, of course, the student must play the notes, and all of the notes, in the manner and in the time in which the composer intended that they should be played, his efforts should by no means stop with notes. Every individual note in a composition is important, but there is something quite as important as the notes, and that is the soul. After all, the vital spark is the soul. The soul is the source of that higher expression in music which cannot be represented in dynamic marks. The soul feels the need for the crescendos and diminuendos intuitively. The mere matter of the duration of a pause upon a note depends upon its significance, and the soul of the artist dictates to him just how long such a pause should be held. If the student resorts to mechanical rules and depends upon them absolutely, his playing will be soulless."
It is important to learn the technique of the instrument but it is vital and essential to play with what Rachmaninoff calls "soul".
I enjoyed learning about the history of this book. It was published first in 1917. The Dover edition, which I received as a gift, was published in 1999 but is now out of print and, apparently, rare. There are two current editions available of this book which I have not seen.
This book was a chance but lovely gift from a pianist who thought of me even though I didn't know her very well. The circumstances of me finding the book and its content made this a special volume.
Robin Friedman
Interesting. Gave as gift. Was appreciated.
Don't be put off by the fact that the pianists were born in the late 1800s -- what they have to share is timeless.
Interesting book, ran into some pianists who I hadn't seen before. Always enjoy hearing musicians actually speak to music in their own words.
Warning! there are at least two editions of this book. The original edition has 30 pianist interviews. The bad edition, the one with this cover of a piano on it against a white background, has only 21 interviews! The good editor, with the 30 interviews, is an actual published book, by Dover Publishing. The poor edition is a self-published book with no introduction and an incomplete table of contents and most importantly without the 9 interviews. Be sure to get the Dover edition, which is a reprint of Mr Cooke's famous Etude magazine from the 19th century. If I had bought the Dover edition this book would be a 5 star rating, I only rate 4 because of this poor self published edition. The book is fabulous. Insights, and words of wisdom from the greatest pianist of the 19th century during the hey day of the piano. Took me a week to read the book because I studied it, the book has that many hidden treasure in there. Something for everyone in here, novice and pro alike!
0 Response to "[JDJ]≫ Read Gratis Great Pianists on Piano Playing James Francis Cooke 9781545102558 Books"
Post a Comment